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Kotaku EastJapanAnd Now, More Freaky Pokémon Art
Last year, Kotaku reported that artist Gomi Kuzu Tarou has submitted a Pikachu painting into a contest for a chance to be turned into a Pocket Monster card. The art was rather freaky! Gomi Kuzu Tarou, a talented artist, is back with another Pokémon card submission. This time, Gomi Kuzu Tarou tried his luck with…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 15, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanHayao Miyazaki’s New Film Will Be Hand Drawn And Is Still Years Away
Previously, it was announced that Hayao Miyazaki would be using computer animation to finish his upcoming film How Do You Live? But now, Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki has revealed that the movie will be drawn by hand. The movie is based on a 1937 short by Yoshino Genzaburo about a young boy who goes…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 15, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanGundam Branding Runs Amok With Char Aznable Sardines
In Japan, Gundam antagonist Char Aznable is now plastered all over King Oscar sardines. Or should I say, wait for it, chardines? Going on sale this week in Japan, these are actually being called “Oil Chardines” with the packaging available for a limited time only. As Game Impress Watch points out, there’s even a promotional…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 14, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanHere’s A Cooling Fan For The Nintendo Switch
Summers are brutal in Japan. So, here’s a small fan to help Switch owners make them more bearable. This is the Gamers Mobile Cooler. It’s a small USB-connected fan that purports to pump out cool air that can drop the temp by 13 degrees Celsius (55 degrees Fahrenheit). As Game Watch Impress notes, the fan…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 14, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanHow To Draw Totoro: Draw Some Circles, Draw The Rest Of The Fucking Totoro
Studio Ghibli producer Toshio Suzuki appears in a short one-minute tutorial for how to draw Totoro. Suzuki points out that one key thing to keep in mind when doing Totoro is to draw the character’s eyes far apart. So, yes, draw some circles. Then, draw the rest of the fucking character. So easy!
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 13, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapanese Geek Culture In The Age Of Covid-19
A state of emergency was declared in Japan due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Many people have stayed home, and businesses were temporarily closed. The whole world has been affected and changed by the virus. What does that mean for Japanese otaku culture? So much of this culture centers around people congregating in geek centers…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 11, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanJapan’s Longest-Running Anime Broadcasts Reruns For The First Time in 45 Years
Since 1969, Sazae-san has been airing continuously, making it not only the longest-running anime in Japan, but in the entire world. The show is one of the few anime that everyone in the country knows, and it’s enjoyed by young and old alike. But because of the novel coronavirus pandemic, production is stopping for the…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 11, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanThe New Animal Crossing Guide Book Draws A Crowd In Japan
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a smash hit in Japan. Some players aren’t content to discover what’s in the game on their own; they really want tips. A book’s worth of them, and they’ll willing to wait in line to get them There are three main New Horizons guidebooks on sale in Japan: one from…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 8, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAnd Now, Some Excellent Cardboard Gundam Heads
Gundam designs are iconic and wonderful, especially the mecha heads. No wonder Twitter user Tomowo has been bringing them to life in cardboard. Tomowo also has brought the Eva Unit-01 from Evangelion to life. Just look at all the parts that go into each head: The finish results are excellent: Check out Tomowo’s full collection…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 6, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanEven Coronavirus Covid-19 Cannot Stop Cosplay
Last month, Kotaku posted what could have been this year’s last cosplay gallery. For an in-person show, that’s probably true! This spring’s Comiket, always a big cosplay draw, was canceled. However, the show was reborn in an online iteration, with cosplayers doing their thing even while in quarantine. Comiket (Comic Market) is the largest fan…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 5, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanTokyo In Ruins Makes For Hauntingly Beautiful Art
Artist Tokyo Genso imagines what Tokyo, the world’s biggest city, would look like in ruins. The results are beautiful and haunting. Via Spoon & Tamago, here is a look at his art. Here is a look at how Tokyo Genso puts together his art. For more, check out Tokyo Genso’s Twitter. You can buy his…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 5, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanNew Pokémon Clothes Launch In Japan, Social Distancing Goes Out The Window
A state of emergency has been declared in Japan, but new Pokémon threads have gone on sale at GU clothing stores in Japan, with folks lining up for them. At stores in Japan, such as supermarkets, there are now markers so people can ensure they are far enough apart from each other while they line…
By Brian Ashcraft Published May 1, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanFender Is Making An Evangelion Themed Guitar
Designed after Evangelion character Asuka Langley Soryu’s plugsuit, this guitar is a limited edition Fender Telecaster with an anime flair. Called the 2020 Evangelion Asuka Telecaster, it features all sorts of neat little details, like the number 2, referencing the Evangelion Unit 02 that Asuka pilots. There is also a Nerv logo tastefully placed on…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 28, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanMom Makes Cardboard Laptop For Her 4-Year-Old
Twitter user Koshiyoda went above and beyond when her four-year-old asked her to make a computer. The result is this incredibly realistic laptop. The details on the cardboard laptop are incredible. Just look at how each letter and Japanese character is painstakingly added on each key. Instead of an Apple logo, Koshiyoda created a cute…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 28, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanLet’s Compare Xenoblade Chronicles Wii And Switch Graphics
Xenoblade Chronicles was first released on the Nintendo Wii in 2010 in Japan. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition will be released on the Switch next month with new character models. Obviously, the graphics will be improved, but let’s see how so. As Kotaku previously reported, the Definitive Edition features revamped visuals and sound, a new user…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 28, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanFace Masks Spark Creativity In Japan
It’s not easy to find disposable face masks in Japan. The ones issued by the government are too small. And so, people in Japan have been making their own. Some have been doing so in the most creative fashion. Under the hashtag #自慢のマスクを見てくれよ (“Show the mask you’re proud of”), folks have been uploading their best…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 27, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapan100 Japanese Households Are Getting Super Famicoms So Their Kids Will Stay Home
Since a state of emergency has been declared in Japan over the pandemic, kids are out of school. Yet, when I look out my window here in Osaka, I see gobs of them milling about in the street and the parks, playing with each other. I think they should stay home! So does the Japan…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanSome Pachinko Parlors In Japan Stay Open Even During Coronavirus Emergency
A state of emergency has been declared in Japan. In recent weeks, the number of covid-19 cases has increased, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has called for an 80 percent reduction in person-to-person contact. Yet, some pachinko parlors refuse to close. Earlier this month, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike included pachinko parlors, along with bars and…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 24, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanRetro Japan Recreated In Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The customization tools in Animal Crossing: New Horizons are enabling players to show off their creativity. One of the most impressive things I’ve seen is Japan during the Showa era (1926-1989) being brought to life in Animal Crossing. When Japanese people use the word retro (レトロ) to discuss a building, town, or fashion, they are…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 23, 2020 -
Kotaku EastJapanAnd Now, Pokémon Themed Lingerie
Peach John, the lingerie brand which previously released Sailor Moon and One Piece themed underwear, will be selling Pocket Monster lingerie starting next month in Japan. As noted on IT Media, the Pokémon Girls line features iconic characters like Eevee and Pikachu embroidered into the garments and sleepwear. It’s all rather tasteful. The Pokémon lingerie…
By Brian Ashcraft Published April 23, 2020